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Several initiatives funded by Proposition 1, a $6.4 billion behavioral health bond narrowly passed by voters in March 2024, have faced delays or have been cancelled, despite promises from state officials that it would swiftly enhance treatment capacity, according to recent reports.
This bond was intended to assist counties and service providers in developing new mental health treatment facilities and housing for individuals grappling with severe mental illnesses or substance use disorders.
However, CalMatters has highlighted that many of the projects anticipated to launch early in the implementation phase have not yet come to fruition.
Among these projects, ten facilities were scheduled to open in 2025 but remain unopened. According to the report, construction schedules have been extended, and some projects are still only in their preliminary phases.
CalMatters also noted that several projects have encountered timeline extensions as counties navigate various challenges related to construction, financing, and planning.
Some facilities highlighted by state leaders as early examples of the program remain under construction or have yet to open their doors.
The outlet reported that projects across multiple counties are now expected to open later than originally projected.
State officials said the projects are still moving forward despite some setbacks.
The state’s Department of Health Care Services said that while some timelines have shifted, construction overall remains largely on track.
“While most construction remains on schedule, some individual project timelines have shifted slightly due to permitting, site conditions, and construction pressures, including supply-chain strain from President Trump’s tariffs,” the department wrote in an email to CalMatters.
“These projects are moving forward and will deliver long-term treatment capacity for generations.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom championed Prop. 1 as a key part of his effort to address California’s homelessness crisis by expanding access to treatment and supportive housing for people struggling with severe mental illness.
The measure both authorized billions of dollars in bonds to build treatment facilities and changed how counties must spend certain mental-health funds, directing more money toward housing and services for people with the most serious conditions.
But CalMatters reported that several of the projects originally highlighted by state leaders have either stalled or failed to move forward as planned.
Some developments have seen their expected opening dates slip well beyond initial projections, while others remain under construction.
The projects were in to serve as some of the first tangible results of statewide behavioral-health initiative after voters approved the funding.
Instead, many of the facilities remain unfinished as counties and developers continue working to move projects forward, according to CalMatters.
The slow rollout comes as the state continues to push its broader plan to expand treatment options and housing for people with serious behavioral-health needs.